Why are Cepheid variables important? O Cepheids variables are pulsating stars whose pulsation periods are directly related to their true luminosities. Therefore they can be used as distance indicators. O Cepheids variables are supermassive stars that are on the verge of becoming supernovae. Therefore they allow us to choose candidates to watch if we hope to observe a supernova. O Cepheid variables are stars that vary in brightness because they harbor a black hole. Therefore, they provide direct evidence for black holes. O Cepheids variables are a type of irregular galaxy, much more common in the early universe. Therefore they help to understand how galaxies formed.

Why are Cepheid variables important? O Cepheids variables are pulsating stars whose pulsation periods are directly related to their true luminosities. Therefore they can be used as distance indicators. O Cepheids variables are supermassive stars that are on the verge of becoming supernovae. Therefore they allow us to choose candidates to watch if we hope to observe a supernova. O Cepheid variables are stars that vary in brightness because they harbor a black hole. Therefore, they provide direct evidence for black holes. O Cepheids variables are a type of irregular galaxy, much more common in the early universe. Therefore they help to understand how galaxies formed.

Astronomy

1st Edition

ISBN:9781938168284

Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff

Publisher:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff

Chapter18: The Stars: A Celestial Census

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 45E: How much would you weigh if you were suddenly transported to the white dwarf Sirius B? You may use...

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How would the spectra of a type II supernova be different from a type Ia supernova? Hint: Consider the characteristics of the objects that are their source.
How much would you weigh if you were suddenly transported to the white dwarf Sirius B? You may use your own weight (or if don’t want to own up to what it is, assume you weigh 70 kg or 150 lb). In this case, assume that the companion to Sirius has a mass equal to that of the Sun and a radius equal to that of Earth. Remember Newton’s law of gravity: F=GM1M2/R2 and that your weight is proportional to the force that you feel. What kind of star should you travel to if you want to lose weight (and not gain it)?
Would you be more likely to observe a type II supernova (the explosion of a massive star) in a globular cluster or in an open cluster? Why?
If a 3 and 8 MSunstar formed together in a binary system, which star would: A. Evolve off the main sequence first? B. Form a carbon- and oxygen-rich white dwarf? C. Be the location for a nova explosion?
A supernova can eject material at a velocity of 10,000 km/s. How long would it take a supernova remnant to expand to a radius of 1 AU? How long would it take to expand to a radius of 1 light-years? Assume that the expansion velocity remains constant and use the relationship: expansiontime=distanceexpansionvelocity .
Describe the evolution of a white dwarf over time, in particular how the luminosity, temperature, and radius change.
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why are Cepheid variable stars good distance indicators? What about supernovae?
Assuming that at the end of the He burning phase of the stellar core (r < R_core) has no H or He or other metals and is composed completely of Carbon, X=Y=0, X_c = 1 ; The envelope above the core has a normal stellar composition ( r > R_core). Calculate the length of time in years that a 1M_sol and 10M_sol star will live on the horizontal branch or the time between the start and end of the He burning phase. Assume that the normal relationship between mass and luminosity holds for horizontal branch stars. Please be as detailed as possible
where do hydrogen-buring stars spend most of their time on the H-R Diagram? Is it the main sequence, the red gaint region, horizontal branch or the white dwarf region?
A star with spectral type A0 has a surface temperature of 9600 K and a radius of 2.2 RSun. How many times more luminous is this star than the Sun? (if it is less luminous enter a number less than one) 36.854 This star has a mass of 3.3 MSun. Using the simple approximation that we made in class, what is the main sequence lifetime of this star? You may assume that the lifetime of the sun is 1010 yr.